Tuesday, February 22, 2011

First Look: Run Of The Mill S/S 2011 Private Label

I normally like to keep all things ROTM related off the blog since they really don't have anything to do with each other, but I'm really proud of our new private label goods for S/S 2011 and wanted to share them with you guys as soon as possible. When thinking about where we wanted to take the online shop it was pretty much a no brainer. While we love working with some of our favorite brands, it came to a point where we wanted to do something that really spoke to what the brand was about. For S/S 2011 we are offering our first ever forays into the worlds of private label footwear and shirting.

Our made in Northern Italy (between Milan and Como in Lombardia) double monk straps are probably what I, personally, am most psyched for. The thought process behind those was to create what we believed to be the double monk strap a guy should own if he was only going to have one pair. We skipped the aggressive toe you see on most Italian and English version and went with a more naturally rounded last reminiscent of Allen Edmonds' discontinued, but much loved Mora. To keep things as versatile as possible we did it up in a beautiful brown calfskin and added silver rounded buckles that look fantastic when left undone. The quality of this shoe is off the charts - the plan, all along, being to offer the best value double monk on the market.

To compliment the shoes, and simply offer a seven days a week staple item, we are also selling cutaway collar oxford shirts. As most of you probably realize this style of shirt is virtually impossible to find off the rack anywhere. We have both a blue and white version available that are made in the USA and speak to our love of mixing Anglo and Italian styles. No matter how you wear your shirts, or what you wear them with, it is our belief that this shirt is as good as it gets.

All our private label items will be available on our website for preorder shorty (the plan is to launch tomorrow) and sales will be open for a month. The double monks will retail for $405 and the shirts for $105. We also added an incredible double breasted linen blazer from our friends at Monitaly to round out our S/S 2011 offerings. Hopefully you guys like what we've done for the upcoming season and are a fraction of just how excited we are for all the good stuff that's coming up. A lot more pictures and information will be available when everything launches, but if you have any pressing inquiries you can always send me a personal email.

Outstanding LAS!! The notched cuff is a great detail, collar looks fantastic and I'm sure you dialed in the perfect fit. Really can't say enough about the double monks - ridiculous! Congrats on an incredible line.

You guys should really consider putting up photos of someone wearing the oxfords to get a better feel for how they look on. I'm down with the style, but it helps to have a reference point. I'm sure others would agree...

Yeah, I'm guessing these weren't bench made. The welt construction looks like something you'd see at Aldo, too. I mean, if these were priced to reflect the quality, they should be somewhere in the $150-170 bracket.

This shoe is an example of a group of bloggers trying to capitalize on the 15 minutes of double monk shoes. Shoes are an investment and should be taken as such. Do you really want to throw away $400 to a group of guys who have no credibility in the shoe game? Exactly. Invest in a trusted source, not a group of herbs.

Kev- This darker shade of brown calfskin makes the shoes more versatile. Too light of a brown and they won't look good with a suit.

Steven- Everything is Italian sourced and the shoes are handmade at each step. Maybe the photos are bad? Honestly, we worked with arguably the best ready to wear shoe factory in northern Italy. The shoes don't touch soil outside of Italy before they are shipped to the states.

Truth- Because we are obviously new when it comes to working with shoes (no one is denying that) we worked with a well known shoe verteran (20+ years I believe) who is also the agent for said Italian factory.

The shoes are rapid constructed, just like almost every single shoe that is Italian made. Rapid construction produces a tough, sturdy, and long-lasting shoe that can be repaired or resoled when necessary.

The shoes come with full leather insole, a full leather midsole and a full leather outsole.

Yeah, I have to agree with some of the above comments. Perhaps better photos would change my mind. $405 seems a little steep for calfskin shoes. I mean if they were cordovan leather, it would probably warrant a higher price tag. I'd be a little weary to jump on these.

Truth & Steven - As someone who knows exactly who is making these shoes for ROTM, I can say with a whole lot of certainty that you guys are hating just to hate. Chances are you lave lost your collective shits over the some of the shoes they make for some of the best shoe stores in downtown Manhattan (that's the biggest clue I can give). The quality/value ratio for these shoes is off the charts. Well done fellas.

Do these shoes have a Blake or Goodyear welt? I was really hoping these would have been made out of shell cordovan leather, to be honest. Perhaps if you guys step up your game in the future, I'll throw you guys a bone and grab a pair. Not bad for a first attempt, though.

Jeff and Bruce- No one that I know of makes cordovan double monks. The double monks everyone lusts after, and that cost around $200 more than ours, are made to the same specs as ours and out of calfskin as well.

Franco and everyone else asking for shell cordovan- We didn't want our first shoe to be that exclusive. Maybe next time, but you guys, as well as I, know that people rarely put their money up for shoes that expensive.

Nicholas- As this is a private label arrangement, blasting that information out would be uncouth.

While shell cordovan double monks would have obviously driven the price higher, it probably would have set you guys apart in terms of creativity and status. I can understand the hate coming from being a group of bloggers trying to enter the designer field, but you guys are offering an entry level double monk at a price that is unjustifiable. $200 tops for this pair of calfskin double monks. You guys are inflating these these far too much.

Chris- "offering an entry level double monk at a price that is unjustifiable." Can you point me to an handmade English/Italian "entry level double monk" that is cheaper?

"$200 tops for this pair of calfskin double monks. You guys are inflating these these far too much." That's a bold comment to make when you don't know the wholesale price and have no knowledge of who the manufacturer is. Honestly, we specifically took a hit on MSRP to make this shoe even more affordable, which is part of the reason I can't get specific with who our North American agent is and who the Italian factory is. I don't know of any other store, be it online or brick and mortar, who leaves money on the table to provide their customer with the best retail deal possible.

I've only been a reader of this blog for a few weeks but I'm really having trouble seeing where does all this negativity come from?

Maybe it's because I'm in my late 40's but, the attitude you youths are displaying here is incredibly obnoxious. There is enough jealousy on here to outlast the Jones's for life.

I do want to clarify a few things regarding the quality of these shoes.

I've been in the shoe business for over 25 years--working with factories Massachusetts, Maine, Abruzzi (Italy) and France.

First off, shell cordovan is ungodly expensive and the price for shoes like these would push them to at least $725 retail. You also wouldn't want them cordovan as the apron would hurt your foot...Take note gentlemen, there is reason why you don't see shell double monk strap shoes.

Second, calf skin is one of the most luxurious items on earth. Calf, not cowhide. Calf...it is soft and when tanned correctly will outlast your foul mouths.

Third, I have no idea how any of you could actually tell the "stiching" and "low grade leather uppers" from an image. If you can I probably should cash out my 401k now as I must getting dreadfully old and out of shape. The only way to really tell the stitching on a show is to take the damn thing apart.

Something I've come across in my years in the business is more and more people are pretending they know all about construction when really they just read a half written article or are being spoon fed details.

I'm looking forward to purchasing these shoes.

There are only 3 factories I know of in Northern Italy that these could be made. If it is any of the three then we're in for a hell of a deal.

Italy's shoe industry is one of the few Italian manufacturing industries that hasn't been as tainted and compromised as others (auto and clothing).

I don't know about a mile away, but you can definitely see the shoddy construction on the close up pics. I think you guys should seriously consider doing a re-shoot of these with your photographer or hire someone with e-commerce experience. The presentation is often what can sell a product. And considering you guys are an internet blog store, you should be taking all the necessary steps to ensure the highest quality photos to showcase your product.

Simon H - For a geriatric you obviously have little experience with high end shoes. As someone who owns shell cordovan double monks from Edward Green and Bontoni, I can attest to the quality and construction. The apron on both pairs don't hurt my feet and have never been an issue. Before you go running off your mouth, try and at least have the gall to have some hands on experience with a shell cordovan leather. Damn.

I've been following this thread for a little bit, but haven't said shit because 1. These comments are out of control. Hilarious, yes, but out of control and 2. I was reserving judgment because there really wasn't a lot in this post to go off of. I mean, you can always judge anything by pictures, but c'mon. Judging shoes by pictures is like judging girls on the internet by pictures. Hands on is always the best way to go.

I'm commenting now because it looks like LAS has updated his copy. I didn't doubt these shoes were made in Italy, but now they are apparently made in Lombardia. I'm no snitch (I've handled some big name private label accounts in the past) so I won't say where I think they are being made, but if I'm right, then this is a pretty good deal. From what I know about factories in that area, these shoes are pretty legit. Somewhere between Crockett & Jones regular and handgrade lines to boil it down into basic terms. As compared to other Italian shoes, these are obviously not on par with handmade Lattanzi shoes, but are far superior than the Allen Edmonds trash always promoted on this blog and even Alden to some extend. But that's just my humble opinion as a guy who wears exclusively European origin shoes.

I know not everyone out there is a shoe nerd or has worked in the industry, but people really need to do their goddamn research before they start wilding out in blog comments. Internet gangsters need to step away from the keyboard and visit some factories.

It's amazing to me that so many of the haters here are also such expert on shoes and their construction. My own collection includes shell as well as calfskin from Alden, RL, C & J, Brooks Brothers, Paul Smith (made in Italy) but maybe I just haven't learned anything because from what I see these shoes look pretty fine. The color is great-you can go casual or more dressed up. Again maybe my knowledge is not up to par, but quality wise I feel they look pretty good and seem like the kind of footwear I'd want wear a lot.

It's a shame that the ROTM guys rushed the creation of these shoes. Quality footwear can take YEARS to perfect, not months. It's clear from the photos that these were rushed and lack any ornate detailing that might deem them original. ROTM should have spend more time overseeing the production of these shoes in person rather than via FedEx. I was very curious what they had in store for the "blogging community" but many details seem to be overlooked. As much as people poke fun at McNairy on here, I sort of wish he was overseeing these. His footwear expertise could have helped steered these in the right direction. I guess this is what happens when you venture off on your own: you get lost.

@Vik Radics; Are you serious? It's not like LAS said they opened a factory and read a complete idiots guide to making double monks to launch these into production. They worked with a respectable factory in Northern Italy who takes pride in the shoes that they make. You probably think Ralph Lauren makes his own shoes and sells them rather than using shoe factories around the world to produce what he wants too. Just because it's private label for a new store, doesn't mean they set up the factory yesterday and started cranking out shirts and shoes.-Amir

People can't stand to see a blogger succeed at making their dream a reality. I understand how people could be bitter at seeing others succeed while they're constantly checking their analytics, hoping to one day get enough views to make some AdSense profit.

I don't know enough about shoes to comment, and certainly wouldn't claim that I could make judgements on the quality of construction from a photograph, nor can I afford these shoes, but I trust LAS and his associates' dedication to quality and would not suspect them of trying to rip anybody off.

I dig them and will be buying a pair. I'm hoping no one asks me what part of Italy they're from or what they look like on the website because who gives a shit besides a couple of pretentious a-holes that hate other peoples success. Congrats LAS. Job well done.

Ya'll need to chill out. Buy or don't buy, but get some manners. If this was a store I'm pretty sure you wouldn't run your mouths like this inf front of the proprietor. I would hope you would have some respect for someone who obviously cares and is trying to do something productive. Good luck with the hate. Lawrence haters gonna hate, but it's a cool thing you are doing. Cheers to making something happen.Oh and to all the haters, I saw the shoes in person and I commented how fresh they were and seemed to be great quality.

I am pretty certain i know the maker of these shoes. I can assure you guys that the costs of raw products and manufacturing is VERY high these days. Without jumping into the 550-750 range of shoes these are an excellent price point for the value , you will not find a better make in terms of quality and PRICE. Why are the shirts so cheap ?!Patrick S.

No respect for the man in his own house. Downright disrespectful. I'm grateful for the open forum that this medium has built but damn the haters. If there was a reason for it, I'd applaud every single one of you Anonymous mofos. But there isn't.

You got dudes name dropping and pushing lingo as if they're the writer and LAS is the reader. Go start your own site, garner even 1/10 the respect people have for LAS.

LAS is doing his thing on several fronts and his shoe game is serious. Beyond that, he's a genuinely good guy that isn't trying to swindle anyone. If you think you can deliver a better shoe then go for it and I'm sure LAS will even shed light on it if you were to succeed.

Wow Anon 12:15, that is real classy. LAS, I'm surprised you let some of these comments through.

Regardless, I know the sticker price may look high, but honestly the market does not have a very large supply of double monks and they are expensive wherever you look (with some exceptions). If you want good shoes, you should expect to pay a premium.

Further, I trust that LAS is an expert in double monk quality, I mean come on, have you seen his Blogger trading card? These comments on the perceived quality are just outrageous. Are you all so cynical to believe that someone with such passion for these shoes would do anything less than his best? Perhaps you have never read Sartorially Inclined.

At the end of the day, if you don't like what LAS is doing at least try and be respectful or stop reading his blog.

Always know you've got thousands of people who have you and your teams back at all times. You've built a brand, both personal and industry that has much respect despite what some of these comments might indicate.

Being able to produce your own dub monks under your own label is already a cocaine trip in itself. But then again, only those with sartorial inclinations would relate to that...almost like a fear and loathing in las vegas.

Very nice shoes. The vast majority of people commenting here know nothing absolutely nothing about shoes or shoemaking. If you dislike the color - don't buy them. If you are willing to compare these shoes to EG or JL then you have already made the point that they are of very high quality--because they are half the price. Nice job!

I happen to agree that the color is ideal.hope you sell every pair. I have a size 14foot. Effed. FYI I think Brett Easton Ellis is drinking and trolling to researchand try out new characters. Has to be.

Dear L.A.SI just read the comments and I will like to point you some learnings for your next Monks:1. Use the best possible leather: Skin of the American president's ass2. Hand-Swen by Ralph Laurent himself at the Vatican.3. Make it only one size. (I recommend you find out Franco's)4. 9.99 will be a fair price.

I would appreciate if the haters who complain about the price and also complain that the maker isn't disclosed would go ahead and name the makers of blake rapid double monks for $200, which they suggest as a reasonable price point. I presume this is based on other similar shoes being in this price range. I'm ready with my credit card to scoop some similar shoes at $200.

Congratulations on the new collection guys! I'm so proud of the hard work the three of you have put into ROTM and it honestly shows. I know that you would never turn out a product that you wouldn't wear 24-7 yourselves and that you appreciate your customers more than the average brand (small or big). That's seriously commendable! Regarding above discussions on price points etc. I'm always of the opinion that people can and will buy what they want. It's no one's responsibility to tell others how and where to spend their dough (be it technology, fashion, books, travel, etc). It's sad to see how many people feel that it's their duty to do so, especially in such a self righteous manner. I know you guys have tougher skin than the average bloke and the haters won't hold you back, but I wanted to reiterate - job well done!! I know that ROTM will only continue to impress and delight in the years to come.

I do think the last used on the double monks is pretty ugly, but if the calf leather used is actually top notch, it's not a bad deal. It's about 40 bucks cheaper than what you can get C&Js or Tricker's, and I'll guess that the uppers are much better than the cavalry calf that C&J uses on the lowndes.

I wish they used Supima cotton on these, but I'm guessing they cheaped out and didn't. Also, I think they used cheap plastic buttons instead of quality Mother-of-pearl buttons. I guess the level of class I expected from these guys was asking too much...

Damn. The hating is pretty incredible... LAS has the ability to only allow comments that are not anonymous. The fact that he has not enabled this function shows his respect for people's valid opinions. However, some of this shit is just abusing this privilege.

Wow, just read all these comments. I gotta say Im usually 1st in line to hate on these bloggers for trying to start their own shit but the hating here has been unreal.

Personally I hate double monks and I think they are stupid looking but tearing apart these guys hard work is unjustified. The shoes (in my opinion) look like they are pretty well made. Yes, the pics are not wonderful and maybe some touch-up is needed, but still, how about some constructive criticism? Nobody is going to find a decent pair of shoes for sub $300 so those guys quoting prices in the $200's, go back to Aldo.

As long as LAS doesnt turn this blog into a full fledged full time advertorial for rotm ill continue reading.